Smart, Strange, and Subtly Devastating

Read Time:5 Minute, 38 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Universal
–

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Stephen Portland
Writer(s): Stephen Portland
Cast: Joe Thomas, Kelley Mack, Rosa Robson
Where to Watch: shown at Dances with Films LA 2025

RAVING REVIEW: Something is entrancing about a story that doesn’t rely on explosions, world-ending stakes, or grand spectacle to keep your attention. What starts as an off-grid weekend between two academics quickly reshapes into a story that’s as much about human connection as it is about the coded mysteries of our DNA. Rather than reaching outward, this one folds inward, zooming in on the friction, affection, and unease that can spark when three people find themselves locked in a single space, navigating each other's minds and a discovery that could change everything.

The narrative revolves around Leo (Joe Thomas) and Naomi (Rosa Robson), a British couple now based in the U.S., who retreat to a remote cabin for rest and quiet. Their relationship feels lived-in, familiar, and grounded, especially in how their personalities bounce off one another. Leo, slightly adrift in his work, has a romantic notion of scientific discovery and longs for a defining moment. Naomi, meanwhile, approaches life with more balance, not dismissing his ambitions but staying grounded. That dynamic gets tested immediately when Ricky (Kelley Mack) shows up uninvited, carrying an energy that’s both disruptive and strangely magnetic.

Ricky isn’t your standard wildcard. Her presence adds a layer of intensity and chaos. Played with remarkable restraint by Mack, she arrives with a theory pulled from the margins of genetic science—one so far-fetched that it should be easy to dismiss. But there’s something about how she presents it—hesitant yet insistent—that draws Leo in. What should be a five-minute conversation stretches into hours, then into a full deep dive. Naomi watches, skeptical but not hostile, curious about the data and this woman who somehow found them.

Rather than flood the film with twists, the story gives space to its characters. Conversations unfold. There are silences. There’s hesitation. It feels honest to how real people react when confronted with a strange but oddly compelling claim. And that commitment to realism pays off. The characters are flawed, careful, and unpredictable in grounded ways. They second-guess each other. They bond. They misread signals. It’s refreshingly character-driven, which might be its best quality.

Thomas, as Leo, balances his character’s professional frustration with a quiet desperation to mean something. His arc is subtle but traced. Robson as Naomi provides much-needed contrast. She's always observing and questioning. She’s not a skeptic in the cynical sense—she just needs the logic to check out. Their dynamic, especially as Ricky becomes more involved, fuels the emotional tension in the room.

Still, Mack’s Ricky becomes the story’s gravitational center. She’s the most awkward person in the cabin, yet she holds the entire narrative together. There’s something beautifully understated about her performance—it doesn’t push too hard for empathy or try to soften her sharper edges. She’s brilliant, socially awkward, and completely sincere. The discomfort she brings into the cabin is never annoying—it’s necessary. That subtle imbalance is what gives the story its weight.

There’s a point where you can’t help but wonder where the film is headed. It starts to feel like the setup that could easily spin into something much darker or more surreal. And for a moment, it seems like it might. That slow-burning tension—of not knowing whether this is a grounded drama or something more genre-driven—is used cleverly (maybe purposefully.) Instead of flipping the tone, the story leans on emotion, choosing restraint over shock. That choice feels deliberate and, ultimately, rewarding.

Working within constraints, Writer/director Stephen Portland finds just enough variation to keep things interesting while never losing sight of what matters—the dynamics between three people discovering how quickly ideas can change relationships. You can feel the influence of stripped-down indie filmmaking here, but it never leans so far into that aesthetic that it becomes self-conscious. The film knows what it is.

There’s a charm to how unpolished it all feels. The performances, dialogue, and interactions are not trying to be perfect. They’re trying to be real. And that? It doesn’t just work—it makes the film better. In the hesitations, you see the vulnerability on which this story is built.

What’s most satisfying is how this small, intimate piece manages to say something bigger without overreaching. There’s just a reminder that scientific or personal discovery isn’t about lightning bolts or applause. It’s about asking questions, facing uncertainty, and sometimes, learning to let go of control. It’s about connection. Curiosity. And in some cases, compromise.

The story leaves just enough mystery for viewers to ponder. It’s thoughtful, low-key, and honest—and that’s more than enough. Kelley Mack, Joe Thomas, and Rosa Robson form a tight ensemble. The result is a movie that knows exactly what it wants to be. It's modest in scope, generous in heart, and quietly engaging throughout. And if it leaves you thinking long after the credits roll, that’s the kind of discovery worth making.

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[photo courtesy of SUBSPIN PRODUCTIONS]

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